BYU-Idaho Students to Perform Silent Sky

Silent Sky tells the true story of 19th-century astronomer Henrietta Swan Leavitt whose scientific discoveries would eventually influence all of modern astronomy.

March 20, 2018Writer: Brett Crandall

The Brigham Young University–Idaho Department of Theatre and Dance will commemorate Women’s History Month with a production of Silent Sky by Lauren Gunderson. Performances will run from March 21-24 & March 27-30 at 7:30 p.m. in the Snow Drama Theatre.

“I’ve been looking forward to directing Silent Sky for a long time,” said Associate Dean Justin Bates. “It is curious, smart, and immensely human, and has wonderful roles for our female actors. Perhaps it is serendipity that we are also producing it at the end of March, which also happens to be Women’s History Month.”

Silent Sky tells the true story of 19th-century astronomer Henrietta Swan Leavitt whose scientific discoveries would eventually influence all of modern astronomy. Leavitt’s story explores a woman’s place in society during a time of immense scientific discoveries, when women’s ideas were dismissed until men claimed credit for them.

“Although the events of this play take place over a hundred years ago, and the accomplishments of women in history are many, there is still much work to be done in the fight for gender equality in the workplace. If the women in this play have taught me anything, it’s that the road to achievement is just as important, if not more so, than the achievement itself, and that it is often the women left out of the history books who deserve most of the credit and so much of our gratitude,” Bates said.

The cost of admission is $3 for BYU-Idaho students and $6 for general admission. Tickets for the production are currently available online through the BYU-Idaho Ticket Office at www.byui.edu/tickets.